Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan: Roots Travellers

Known as "the land of kings," Rajasthan is the largest state of the Republic of India, and its musical idioms have traveled widely, showing up in places as remote as Romania and other European locales. The Dhoad Gypsies have in turn drawn from other far-flung musical wellsprings; witness their catchy "Rajasthani Reggae." This nine-member group includes eight men and one woman, most of whom share vocals while playing on instruments such as the tabla and dholak drums, jew's harp, harmonium, castanets, and the three-stringed sarangi. Their exhilarating rhythmic speed and complexity, as well as their emotional intensity, can be seen as well as heard in the 30-minute DVD that accompanies the CD.